Veteran's Day and Memorial Day - Song Lyrics Close Reading Project

I enjoy using music and lyrics in my English class to engage students and meet them on their level. I have found that in my 15+ years of teaching, fewer and fewer students know why we have the day off from school for both Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. To increase their awareness, I approach it with song.

This assignment provides a 2-page project overview sheet that includes step by step directions, as well as grading information. Teachers, please look over the second page of this to complete the dates and points as they apply to your classroom. Also, a group grading sheet and a presentation rubric is included.

Then, there are 8 sets of lyrics, perfect for creating 8 small groups:
“Some Gave All” by Billy Ray Cyrus
“If You’re Reading This” by Tim McGraw
“Arlington” by Trace Adkins
“Letters From Home” by John Michael Montgomery
“American Soldier” by Toby Keith
“8th of November” by Big & Rich
“I Just Came Back from a War” by Darryl Worley
"They Also Serve:” by John Conlee

If you like this, you might also like the following Close Reading resources in my store:
Introduction to Close Reading for Middle and High School

The Tell-Tale Heart Close Reading Unit

Close Reading Literature Bundle

Thanks for your purchase, and again, please remember to leave feedback :)

Melissa Soeltz